@Anonymous wrote:Hello,
I am debating the Shell Gas Card vs Shell Card (can be used where MasterCard is accepted) vs not having either. I currently have the Shell Gas Card and I currently redeem rewards at the Gold Status with 5 cents off per gallon. Since I have not used the credit card recently they will soon close my account. Before doing so I'd like to know if it is worth applying for the Shell Card and if it would give me a hard inquiry to my credit report if I apply. I probably would qualify for the Shell Card based on my current credit score but I'm looking for feedback before deciding.
Hi and Welcome to myFICO forum,
It would most likely incur a hard inquiry.
If your shell card has age and history, you may think about keeping it open?
you will get some other advice, mine may not necessarily be the best
GL2U
Agreed, I probably would close the Shell card even if you just use it just every now and then if it has age. That said, 5 cents per gallon is not all that great. I have the PNC Cash Rewards card that pays 4% for gas. If I buy 20 gallons @ $2.29 that is $45.80. That’s $1.83 cash back for 20 gallons. At 5 cents per gallon, that 20 gallons gets you $1.00 off. Even a 3% gas would pay $1.37. There are some cards out there that pay 5% also. Most of these cards pay the percentage on all purchases at gas stations, not just gasoline as well. Just something to think about if you're thinking about taking a HP anyway...
@M_Smart007 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Hello,
I am debating the Shell Gas Card vs Shell Card (can be used where MasterCard is accepted) vs not having either. I currently have the Shell Gas Card and I currently redeem rewards at the Gold Status with 5 cents off per gallon. Since I have not used the credit card recently they will soon close my account. Before doing so I'd like to know if it is worth applying for the Shell Card and if it would give me a hard inquiry to my credit report if I apply. I probably would qualify for the Shell Card based on my current credit score but I'm looking for feedback before deciding.
Hi and Welcome to myFICO forum,
It would most likely incur a hard inquiry.
If your shell card has age and history, you may think about keeping it open?
you will get some other advice, mine may not necessarily be the best
GL2U
If you pre-qualify for the BB&T Spectrum Cash Rewards card, you can get 3% gas, 2% on utilities and groceries, and 1% on everything else with a SP approval.
@Anonymous wrote:Hello,
I am debating the Shell Gas Card vs Shell Card (can be used where MasterCard is accepted) vs not having either. I currently have the Shell Gas Card and I currently redeem rewards at the Gold Status with 5 cents off per gallon. Since I have not used the credit card recently they will soon close my account. Before doing so I'd like to know if it is worth applying for the Shell Card and if it would give me a hard inquiry to my credit report if I apply. I probably would qualify for the Shell Card based on my current credit score but I'm looking for feedback before deciding.
They told you they would close the account?
How long has it been since you used the Shell card?
I don't think a Shell MasterCard is worth getting, although if you already have it, what's it hurting to keep it? The Shell loyalty card (not a credit card) is worth having, IMO, because it does not require a hard inquiry and does not appear as a new account on your credit; also, it gives 5 cents off per gallon, which stacks with any cash back you get from your credit card. I use the Shell card to get 5 cents off, and then use my Coastal card for 3% cash back on gas. If a gallon of gas is $2.45, I pay 97% of $2.40, or about $2.33. Well, technically, I pay $2.40, but then get a little over 7 cents cash back, so ultimately, it nets out to about $2.33.
If you already have a Shell MasterCard, I'd probably sock-drawer it, but if it bugs you and you did close it, it probably wouldn't hurt (depending on utilization). If you don't have it, I see little if any point in getting it. JMO.
For cross-reference, check out the recent thread where @expatCanuck was asking whether it made sense to get the Shell card.
https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Citi-Shell-MasterCard-why-not/td-p/5863865
To answer your original question, yes you would have a HP and a new account if you were to apply for the MasterCard version. One thing that is important to note is that you are receiving the 5 cents off per gallon because of your Shell Fuel Rewards Gold status not because you have the card, which is easy to maintain by filling up just a few times each quarter. You actually receive absolutely no rewards or discounts simply for having the card (which is why I closed mine after about 15 years, plus the $2025 credit line bugged me LOL). The MasterCard version does offer an additional 5 cents off per gallon on top of the 5 for FR Gold.
You will almost certainly do much better with continuing to use Shell Fuel Rewards along with a credit card that earns rewards for purchases at the pump than you would by having a Shell-branded card. I personally use it along with either Chase Freedom (when gas or Chase Pay has been a 5x category; minimum 7.5% back plus usually 20-30 cents off per gallon) or with Citi Premier which includes gasoline as a 3x travel purchase (minimum 3.75% back plus usually 20-30 cents off per gallon).
If the card is not that old, I'd let it go. If it's well-aged, you might want to consider just making a purchase every 6-12 months to keep it alive. If it's your oldest tradeline, absolutely keep it open by making an occasional purchase. Doesn't even have to be fuel; you can use the card inside any Shell station for snacks and beverages or anything else.
